NBA Rumors: Cavs moving on from J.R. Smith, signing Ray Allen instead

The 2016-17 NBA season is just three weeks away but the Cleveland Cavaliers and J.R. Smith has not agreed on a new contract. The latest NBA rumors suggest that the Cavaliers are moving on from Smith and they could choose to sign Ray Allen instead.

According to the New York Post, Smith recently declined the $10-11 million per year offer from the Cavaliers. He is reportedly looking for a multi-year contract with an annual salary of $15 million. The two sides are still negotiating but the time is ticking for them to make it work.

Brian Mazique of Forbes believes that the Cavaliers should move on from J.R. Smith and sign a less-expensive player. He named veteran players such as Kirk Hinrich and Kevin Martin as possible replacements but Ray Allen might be the perfect fit in Cleveland.

“It’s unclear how much Allen has left in the tank, but we know he always keeps himself in peak physical condition. Thus a return to the NBA as a role player isn’t impractical for Allen,” Mazique noted.

The 41-year-old has not played in the NBA for two years but he remains one of the well-conditioned athletes on the planet. He has ties with LeBron James due to their time in Miami. The Cavaliers were also one of the rumored teams interested in signing Allen back in August.

However, The King wants the Cavaliers to re-sign J.R. Smith. He has publicly said that he wants the Cavs and Smith to finish their standoff. But if both sides cannot agree to a deal, Smith can always play wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, per USA Today.